10 Facts About Muhyiddin Yassin, The New PM of M’sia That No One Expected

Now, when you read that Muhyiddin Yassin became the new prime minister of Malaysia, you were probably surprised, mostly because you had no idea who the heck he was.

But that’s why I’m here, dear reader. Because when we’re not talking about nose hairs or TikTok, Goody Feed gets down to the really important stuff.

Reader: COVID-19?

Nope, not this time. Aren’t you sick of COVID-19 articles anyway?

Reader: You’d think so, but reading them helps me believe that my decision to buy large amounts of food and toilet paper from Giant so I don’t have to leave my home for the next three years was the right one.

Uh, well, I suggest you take a break from reading COVID-19 articles and read about Malaysia’s new prime minister instead.

Reader Bao: Malaysia has a new prime minister again?

Yes, and you might want to read this then this first. Don’t worry, everything is simplified so even a five-year-old would understand.

Done? Without further ado, here are 10 facts about Muhyiddin Yassin, Malaysia’s eighth prime minister.

1. He grew up in Johor

Muhyiddin bin Haji Muhammad Yassin was born in Muar, Johor, Malaysia on 15 May 1947. He grew up there and received his primary and secondary education at Johorian schools.

Lest you’re not aware, Muar isn’t in JB, but farther up north – it’ll take about 2.5 hours for you to reach the town if you drive from Singapore…without congestion, that is.

Muhyiddin served as the Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Johor for 9 years from 1986 to 1995. He’s also been MP of Pagoh constituency in Johor for 7 terms since 1978 — that’s a whopping 42 years.

2. He studied Economics and Malay Studies

After completing his primary and secondary education in Johor, Muhyiddin headed to Kuala Lumpur for his tertiary education.

He attended the University of Malaya and received an Honours bachelor’s degree in Economics and Malay Studies in 1971.

3. His political career began with UMNO

Muhyiddin’s political career began in 1971 when he joined UMNO as an ordinary member of the Pagoh division.

He was elected as UMNO Youth Chief of the Pagoh division and the Secretary in 1976 and later became the Youth Chief of Johor state UMNO Youth until 1987.

Yes, UMNO, the party he contested against during the last election. Read on and you’ll be less confused.

4. He used to be the DPM

Now, believe it or not, Muhyiddin was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) on 9 April 2009, after Najib was freshly sworn in as Malaysia’s 6th Prime Minister.

He served as DPM for 7 years until 2015, when he was dismissed.

Well, it seems like he had been in Najib’s party so far, right?

Had been.

5. He Was Sacked by Najib from DPM post

Muhyiddin’s long political career seemed to come to end when he was sacked by Najib from his post as Deputy Prime Minister.

What could he have possibly done, you ask? Well, he publicly criticised Najib’s handling of the scandal surrounding 1MDB, Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund.

He once said “I told him to let go of his post in 1MDB, but he didn’t want to listen…I don’t have any evil intention, my will is to help him.”

Muhyiddin’s criticism of Najib also led to him being sacked from his party post by UMNO in June 2016.

6. He Believes He is “Malay first”, not “Malaysian first”

Muhyiddin also made a rather controversial statement in 2010, when he called himself a “Malay first” after being challenged by Democratic Action Party (DAP) veteran Lim Kit Siang to call himself a “Malaysian first”.

Explaining his statement, Muhyiddin said: “How can I say I am a Malaysian first and a Malay second? All Malays will shun me and say it’s not proper as Indians will also say they are Indian first.”

He added that it’s not wrong for any leader to “struggle for his own race”, but said that he helped all communities.

7. He Joined Forces with Mahathir in 2016

Even though the two are now at odds, Muhyiddin joined forces with Mahathir in 2016 to form the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) in the hopes of overthrowing the then ruling coalition Barisan Nasional.

Yes, that’s after he was sacked from UMNO and “unfriended” by Najib.

They eventually succeeded.

Barisan lost in the 2018 General Elections after ruling the country for over 60 years.

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8. His Party only Offers Full Membership to Malays

Muhyiddin became president of the party he made with Mahathir – Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

The new party is focused on bumiputeras – a Malaysian of indigenous Malay origin – and only offers full membership to bumiputeras. According to Wikipedia, other races can join the party, but cannot vote or contest in party elections.

For your info, this party now left the coalition and allegedly joined other parties, which led to the entire saga.

9. He Sought Treatment in Singapore for Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer

In 2018, Muhyiddin was diagnosed with early-stage pancreatic cancer and was treated in Mount Elizabeth Hospital from Jul to Aug 2018.

He was visited in hospital by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, then-Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

Fortunately, the tumour extraction surgery was a success.

10. He’s a Family Man Who Keeps a Low Profile

Muhyiddin is a bit like the Goody Feed writer George Yang; not many know much about him and there is very little information about him online.

But those who know him well say he is very close to his family (no, not George but Muhyiddin).

He also has four kids, one of whom is popular Malaysian singer Najwa Mahiadin.

So, there you have it: 10 facts about Malaysia’s new prime minister.

After serving three different Prime Ministers over many years, Muhyiddin finally assumes power as Malaysia’s Prime Minister himself.

But of course the burning question is this: would he remain the PM, given that Mahathir has openly come out to declare that he is the one with more votes?

Let’s just wait and see, because this is just the beginning of the Malaysia House of Cards series.